Sometimes things come out of nowhere to restore your faith in humanity.
The people that live in my bloc neighborhood are generally thought to be some of the poorest people in Tarnaveni. There are exceptions, Dana and Relu being one, and the situation has improved in recent years, but the majority of my neighbors do not have a lot of money. That being said, I just saw people throwing money off of their balconies as a man sang traditional Gypsy and Romanian songs in the courtyard. The man singing was accompanied by a Rroma man suffering from severe clubfoot. People in the courtyard were applauding the man's singing, people came out onto their balconies to listen, and people opened up their already shallow wallets to give what they could to help another human being.
What I saw today inspired me! It was kind. It was generous. It had nothing to do with race.
It had everything to do with love. Love thy neighbor! Love thyself!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?
First, I'd like to say that I hope everyone has taken a moment to remember what happened on this day 8 years ago. I think it's appropriate that it has now been made a "National Day of Service" because it is the collective actions of our entire nation and the rest of the world that will help rid the world of hate.
There are significant moments that define generations. When I was a little kid, I remember learning something in school and immediately asking my grandparents how it impacted their lives. As a history teacher, I often read primary sources of people sharing where they were, what they were doing, and how they felt in reference to events such as: Dec. 7, 1941 (Pearl Harbor), Nov. 22, 1963 (Pres. Kennedy's assassination), Nov. 9, 1989 (the Berlin wall "fell"), etc. I'd wager that nearly all Americans can recount how they felt and what they were doing the morning of 9/11; I certainly can.
I was a senior in high school. I had been listening to a cd on my drive to school so I didn't hear about what was going on until my classmates and I boarded the bus for a field trip to the Fort Wayne library to research for a paper we were assigned. Upon arriving at the library we watched on TV as the second tower fell. Needless to say, not much research was accomplished that day. We returned to school just in time for me to go to my internship in Mr. O'Dell's 8th grade history class. I was allowed to help teach and to share my opinion on the events of the day. I listened as the 8th graders expressed their grief, frustration, and thoughts on what should be done, and I made my own decisions about what I believed was the proper response. It's one of the moments where I felt my calling to teach and pursue my passion for history. However, it wasn't until recently that I've come to realize it was also one of the moments that made me want to be a Peace Corps volunteer.
As a PCV here in Romania, I've had plenty of opportunities to hear my fellow community members' reactions to Sept. 11, 2001. I've fielded their questions about what I was doing, how I felt...and I've also received condolences from them. It's a moment that reminds me how much I love America, but it's also a moment that makes me realize just how interconnected we our as human beings. People from small Romanian villages felt the impact of that day! It reminds me of the quotation [by Socrates or Diogenes, I forget which] that states, "I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world." It's part of what the Peace Corps is all about...sharing our lives and experiences with those around us and in return learning from their experiences.
Go out and heed the call to service in whatever way suits you...even if it's just showing kindness to those around you!
Peace & God's Blessings to you on this day and everyday!
There are significant moments that define generations. When I was a little kid, I remember learning something in school and immediately asking my grandparents how it impacted their lives. As a history teacher, I often read primary sources of people sharing where they were, what they were doing, and how they felt in reference to events such as: Dec. 7, 1941 (Pearl Harbor), Nov. 22, 1963 (Pres. Kennedy's assassination), Nov. 9, 1989 (the Berlin wall "fell"), etc. I'd wager that nearly all Americans can recount how they felt and what they were doing the morning of 9/11; I certainly can.
I was a senior in high school. I had been listening to a cd on my drive to school so I didn't hear about what was going on until my classmates and I boarded the bus for a field trip to the Fort Wayne library to research for a paper we were assigned. Upon arriving at the library we watched on TV as the second tower fell. Needless to say, not much research was accomplished that day. We returned to school just in time for me to go to my internship in Mr. O'Dell's 8th grade history class. I was allowed to help teach and to share my opinion on the events of the day. I listened as the 8th graders expressed their grief, frustration, and thoughts on what should be done, and I made my own decisions about what I believed was the proper response. It's one of the moments where I felt my calling to teach and pursue my passion for history. However, it wasn't until recently that I've come to realize it was also one of the moments that made me want to be a Peace Corps volunteer.
As a PCV here in Romania, I've had plenty of opportunities to hear my fellow community members' reactions to Sept. 11, 2001. I've fielded their questions about what I was doing, how I felt...and I've also received condolences from them. It's a moment that reminds me how much I love America, but it's also a moment that makes me realize just how interconnected we our as human beings. People from small Romanian villages felt the impact of that day! It reminds me of the quotation [by Socrates or Diogenes, I forget which] that states, "I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world." It's part of what the Peace Corps is all about...sharing our lives and experiences with those around us and in return learning from their experiences.
Go out and heed the call to service in whatever way suits you...even if it's just showing kindness to those around you!
Peace & God's Blessings to you on this day and everyday!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
What I've Been Missing (Part 2)
I am often asked, by people at home and people here in Romania, what it is that I miss the most from home. I usually come up with some goofy thing to say to make people laugh. School started back up for teachers on Sept. 1, and I've been answering lots of questions and dealing with the amazement from my colleagues that I didn't go back to America for the summer. After having a long conversation with my friend Valentin, I've decided to make a list of the things I miss most so I can easily answer this question in the future. I thought I'd share it with you.
A List of Things I Miss From America/Back Home in Indiana (in no particular order):
A List of Things I Miss From America/Back Home in Indiana (in no particular order):
- Of course--Family and Friends
- Mexican food!
- Going to church on Sunday morning
- the Lake
- Fairs and Festivals. Specifically Street Fair and 4-H Fair
- Sunday dinner at Grandma's house and all of Grandma's cooking
- family reunions every December and June
- dominating everyone in Jeopardy. lol
- having packages delivered to my doorstep
- Driving and my car (I hope the Turtle is still running when I get home!)
- baseball games
- gyms where it is acceptable for me to lift weights
- Wii. Beating my little brother in MarioKart Racing
- breakfast at the Snug or Richards
- casseroles. hashbrown, green bean, etc...it's just not the same here.
- country and Christian music on the radio
- Jefferson Pointe
- rodeos and demolition derbies
- candy apples
- Friday night high school football games, College Gameday Saturdays, and the Colts on Sundays
- tailgating
- rectangular hay bales
- thick steaks, brats, and good cheeseburgers on the grill
- Buffalo Wings and fun nights at B-dubs!
- a shower curtain
- adjustable water temperature
- a person at school that will make copies for you
- the Library w/ more than 5 books in English
- my BlackBerry even though I have two cell phones here.
- being able to talk to people without scheduling it because of the time difference.
- going to the movie theater
- Chinese take-out
- my friends' weddings
- haircuts and eyebrow waxing
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
What I've been missing (Part 1)
Some of you might have picked up on the fact that I've been struggling lately. I've been stressed and frustrated with current projects, planning, relationships, loneliness, etc. Today blew all those worries out of the water and helped me refocus on the positives.
Sept. 1st is the first day of school for teachers here in Romania. I vividly remember this day last year, and I can still picture the terrified Tara that bashfully walked into the cancelaria (teacher's lounge) unsure of what was to come. My, how things have changed. I walked into the cancelaria today with my head up ready for the millions of kisses my cheeks were about to receive. I kind of felt like the kids in movies who hide from old ladies lined up to dole out kisses and lipstick imprints. Only I wasn't hiding! I was like--Bring it on!! Then Natalia handed me a tissue to wipe the lipstick off my cheeks. I chatted up the colleagues I've grown to love, and I met some of my new colleagues as well. And to top things off, my director is back and in full force after defeating thyroid cancer! Booya! I loved the feeling of belonging within my school, Generala 1, but I forgot how long and boring consiliu profesorals (in-service meetings) are. At least I understand what they are talking about now!! I'm gonna rock it this year!
After school, I had a scheduled practice test for the IELTS exam with Ioana in the library; and then I walked home. However, this wasn't just your typical walk home. No siree! This was one of those walks where I felt like it could be a movie montage. The sun was shining brightly, my little Transylvanian town was full of energy, and I kept seeing people I knew and subsequently waving at them like an idiot. After crossing the bridge, I decided to veer off and walk home along the river. I had my headphones on bopping along to some vintage Beatles pop classics; and as I walked, crickets would jump and butterflies were fluttering around everywhere. Good Lord I sound like a Disney movie! And then I was reminded of this Emerson quotation, "Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air..." It's the wonder of life I've been missing. I've been focusing so much on my struggles that I forgot to take a few moments to sit in awe and wonder at the sheer beauty of my surroundings and my good fortune to be here.
Okay. I know I'm getting a little dreamy and sappy so I'll give it a rest. I'm just thrilled that for the first time in a while I can't keep a silly grin off my face.
While I can't give you the 360 degree experience, I'll put up some pictures shortly from a little sightseeing I did around town. People keep asking me why I like Tarnaveni...it's just a little, bleak, industrial town...but I say it's pretty!!
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